Rock legends, The Dwarves, were in Calgary last Sunday night for one of only two Alberta dates. The show took place at the Blox Art Centre, an all-ages venue, and featured three local bands: Tipless and Julius Sumner Miller, both from Calgary and Edmonton’s Vargouille. The Blox Art Centre was perfect for a punk show – small, dark, with a stage practically on the floor. It was shaping up to be a great night, even for the younger crowd.
First up was Tipless. This female-fronted five-piece delivered a raw and gritty set, the perfect opening act for the night. They screamed their way through a powerful performance, pulling the audience closer and gaining fans with each song.
Next up was Vargouille, who, despite not being on the original bill, fit right in with their hardcore sound. Immersing themselves in the audience, as fans went wild. Their heavy tone and distinct style won over the crowd with ease.
By the time Julius Sumner Miller took the stage, the room was packed. A local favorite, JSM delivered a loud and energetic performance. They played a set of crowd-pleasing tracks, including “St. Teresa,” “Cheap Parmesan,” “This Town Sucks,” and SNFU’s “Drunk on a Bike.” The audience loved it, singing along throughout their entire set.
When The Dwarves hit the stage, they immediately got into it, and the crowd was ready. They delivered a stellar set – high-energy, chaotic, and flawless. Frontman, Blag Dahlia, shared the mic with the fans, belting out lyrics from their vast discography, while everyone screamed along at the top of their lungs. The Dwarves played over two dozen classics, like “Demonica,” “Back Seat of my Car,” “Anybody Out There,” and “The Dwarves Are Still the Best Band Ever,” covering almost everything you could want. Because the best band ever never disappoints, their encore blew everyone away. Small punk shows like this are our favorite, and they’re even better when The Dwarves are playing. Obviously, we can’t wait for the next show!
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